WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. (AP) — Merck & Co. said today
that Japanese regulators approved three of its products, including the vaccine
Gardasil, which protects against a virus that causes cervical cancer.

Merck said Gardasil was approved for the prevention of
cervical cancer and precancerous lesions caused by four types of human
papillomavirus. Its use was approved in women and girls age 9 and older.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare also approved Zolinza,
an oral drug used for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. The drug will be
marketed in Japan
by Taiho Pharmaceutical Co. The third approved was for Cubicin, an antibiotic
that treats severe skin and bloodstream infections. Cubicin was developed by
Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. Merck sells the drug outside the U.S.

Japan is
the world’s second-largest drug market after the U.S.